Monday, June 25, 2012

Army ROTC Basic Training - Cards Needed

Notice the shorty there?  I'm proud to say she's our daughter.  Our daughter who is working her way through college with Army ROTC, graduating this December with a BSN from Purdue...have you gathered yet that I'm one proud Mamma?


Her Senior Cadet profile:

  • Major: Nursing
  • Hobbies, Interests, Passions: I love volunteering. My passion is helping others, whether they want it or not. I also love doing anything with my friends. You only get to live once - why not enjoy it?
  • Why Purdue: Purdue has a great nursing program. I was also enticed by the rich culture that surrounds Purdue. You can't get anything like this at home.
  • Why Army ROTC: I always liked the idea of giving back. I want to give something back to a country that has given me so much.
  • Advice to New Cadets: Believe in yourself! If you know what you want to do, then you can get there as long as you have the determination to do it.

Last Friday she flew to Washington State for LDAC (Leadership Development and Assessment Course).  The course totals 29 consecutive days of training and testing in common soldier skills.
  • Days 1-4 are dedicated to in-processing paperwork and getting to know one's squad and platoon.
  • Days 5-11 focus on the individual training tasks such as the Army Physical Fitness Test (PT) test, day and night land navigation, grenade assault course, rappelling, radio procedures, US weapons, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE), cultural awareness, field craft, and tactics.
  • Days 12-13 are geared toward team and squad training with Field Leadership and Reaction Course (FLRC) and first aid.
  • Day 14 is dedicated to soldier and equipment preparation for the upcoming “deployment.”
  • Days 15-22 see cadets deployed to conduct four days of Squad Situational Training Exercises (STX) and two days of Patrolling. These activities consist of two full squads conducting three missions per day.
  • Day 23 begins with a 10-kilometer victory march back to the barracks where cadets clean and turn in their M16 rifles, clean their equipment, and recover.
  • Days 24-29 are final assessments, including a water confidence course, retesting any failures for land navigation and the PT test, and graduation.
Typically, the training is a refresher of what the cadets learned at their individual schools, and is meant to act as a leveler for cadets' different backgrounds. The main goal is to assess and evaluate the tactical and garrison knowledge learned during the first three years in ROTC. Formal training is conducted by the active duty officers and non-commissioned officer, but day-to-day activities are run by the cadets, who rotate through leadership positions. Cadets are encouraged to hold formations as necessary, march the formations, perform inspections, and conduct extra training to better prepare cadets for upcoming events.


Basic training is tough...and being made tougher because she can't use her cellphone or computer to communicate with her friends and family...very hard for a people-person.  So if you have a moment, would you please send her a note or card?  During the next two weeks her address will be:


CDT Selman, Annissa
Warrior Forge
8th Reg/ B Co/ 1st PLT
PO Box 339543
Joint Base Lewis McCord, WA 98433-9543

This Momma says thank you!

4 comments:

Heather Chaulk said...

How awesome is your little girl!!!! I will be sending a card from NL Canada xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Jay Selman said...

Momma and Dad say thanks!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to send her one.

Dedra C said...

She is only 20 minutes from me. (I found your blog on crazy mom quilt btw)